Carter Ackermann

I held her close to me, my face in her neck, her body against mine, and felt myself relax. My breathing slowed even more and it wasn't long before I fell back asleep.

I listened as he drifted back off to sleep and I closed my eyes too. It wasn't long and I drifted off.

I woke in the morning and sat up a little. What was I doing in bed with Brooke...? It all came back to me all of a sudden and I sighed as I laid back down. Fuck. I'd made such a fool of myself..... I shook my head and slowly got out of bed, not wanting to wake her, and went in to get Daphne when I heard her fussing.

I started to wake up and stretched out across the bed and realized Carter wasn't there anymore. I set up and looked around the room. He must be up with Daphne...I pulled the covers back and got of bed when I realized I was in nothing but my night shirt that barely came to my knees. Dammit, I'd been so worried about him last night I hadn't even thought of it. I sighed and walked across the room, opening the door.

I was feeding Daphne when she came in and only when I looked up at her did I realize... yup... still didn't have a shirt on. "Hey. Morning," I said, not quite sure what else to say.

"Morning. How are you feeling?" I asked, trying not to stare at his chest. Don't do it, Brooke. Don't you dare fucking do it.

"Um... better. I'm feeling better. Thank you... for... for last night."

"Of course. You're welcome." I swallowed "How is she this morning?"

"She's good, chowing down." I looked at her again, my gaze straying down to her bare legs, then quickly looked away. Stop being a perv Carter.

I caught his gaze and realized I was still in my night shirt. My cheeks started to burn "Shit." I muttered and went for my bedroom door "I'll be out soon."

"Okay," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up too. I really probably should've put a shirt on. I would as soon as Daphne finished eating.

I went into my room and closed the door behind me, leaning against it. It was nothing. Last night was nothing. He needed someone to be there for him and that was all.

I stared after her as she shut the door, then shook my head. Get ahold of yourself Carter. I finished feeding Daphne and changed her, then laid her down and went to put a shirt on.

After I pulled myself together and managed to get dress and came back out. He'd put a shirt on, thank god. "Are you hungry? I can make breakfast before I head out."

"Sure, that'd be nice. Do you want any help?"

Carter

"That's okay, I got it." I said and went into the kitchen, getting the fire started.

"Thank you," I said and checked on Daphne before going in to get something to drink. "If I crowd you just let me know, I can go in there."

"We shared a bed last night, I doubt you'll crowd me in the kitchen." I said and turned to look at him "I know things are...awkward this morning. But...are you alright? I was worried about you last night."

I looked down at the table, staring into my drink. "Yeah. Yeah I'm okay. I've... I've never had a nightmare like that before. I mean... I've had them... just not that bad. I don't even know what brought it on."

"Can I ask what it was about? You were...screaming. I didn't know what was going on, it scared me to death."

I thought about the nightmare and shuddered. "Ronna. She was... bleeding... there was blood... all over the place... and it just kept coming... it... it was everywhere... And then I heard Daphne... crying... She was crying and I couldn't... find her... I couldn't find her anywhere."

"That's terrible, I'm sorry. You've just been under a lot of stress and hopefully you won't have anymore that severe." I said, knowing all too well how bad nightmares could get.

"I hope not. I... I don't ever want to have any more," I said quietly.

"I'm sorry you did in the first place, I know how bad those can be."

"You do?"